Donald Dewar centre opens
19th March 2003
The community of Drumchapel are celebrating the opening of the £4.2M Donald Dewar Leisure Centre. After consultation with local residents it was decided to name the facility after the late First Minister whose constituency included the new centre.
The sportscotland Lottery Fund awarded £1.5M towards the project, which includes an indoor sports hall, dance studio, multipurpose room, fitness suite and changing facilities. Glasgow City Council also paid for outdoor synthetic and natural grass pitches. The new facilities will be a welcome addition to the swimming pool and pitches already in great demand by the community.
On Wednesday Ian and Marian Dewar, the son and daughter of the late First Minister will unveil a plaque to officially open the centre. The new facility will breathe new life into the Drumchapel area and will bring economic, social and environmental benefits to the community. It will cater for all levels of user from casual exercise, training, instruction and competition.
The leisure centre is also a prototype for a number of environmentally friendly techniques. Dynamic insulation as part of the heating and ventilation strategy, the reuse of the games hall ventilation air in the changing rooms and shower areas and the use of condensing boilers are all geared to reduce revenue costs and a healthier environment.
Bailie Liz Cameron, Convener of Cultural and Leisure Services, said: "As a Councillor from a neighbouring Ward I know how beneficial this new Centre will be to the area. The local community will also be able to take advantage of the free Health Week from Monday 24 March - Monday 31 March, held at both the new leisure centre and the swimming pool with free fitness activities and healthy lifestyle advice.
"The opening of the Donald Dewar Leisure Centre takes place as Glasgow dons the title of European Capital of Sport 2003, a fitting accolade for a city that has some of the best leisure facilities in the UK."
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said: "I am delighted that this innovative leisure centre is open enabling the community of Drumchapel access to a quality facility. To name it after Donald Dewar is a fitting tribute to his memory.
"Sport brings positive benefits to communities particularly among young people, helping them build social skills and providing positive alternatives in life. Facilities such as these help to create incentives for more people to adopt healthy, active lifestyles and in the longer term creating a fitter Scotland."